Police officers have shot and killed two suspected robbers during an alleged armed raid at a bank in Hampshire.
Police officers have shot and killed two suspected robbers during an alleged armed raid at a bank in Hampshire.
Hampshire officers attended the scene outside HSBC branch in Bournemouth Road, Chandlers Ford near Southampton.
Hampshire officers attended the scene outside an HSBC branch in Bournemouth Road, Chandlers Ford near Southampton.
One man died at the scene, the other in hospital. Police are working with the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad.
One man died at the scene, the other in hospital. Police are working with the Metropolitan Police Flying Squad.
It is thought a gang was targeting a security van outside the bank. The Independent Police Complaints Commission will conduct an inquiry.
It is thought a gang was targeting a security van outside the bank. The Independent Police Complaints Commission will conduct an inquiry.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: "The object of the operation was to prevent and apprehend those believed to be involved in an attempted armed robbery of a premises in Chandlers Ford.
A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: "The object of the operation was to prevent and apprehend those believed to be involved in an attempted armed robbery of a premises in Chandlers Ford.
I heard three shots An eyewitness
I heard three shots An eyewitness
"At approx 1005 [BST] shots were fired and two men were shot.
"At approx 1005 [BST] shots were fired and two men were shot.
"One was pronounced dead at the scene, the other was taken to a local hospital but died at approximately midday.
"One was pronounced dead at the scene, the other was taken to a local hospital but died at approximately midday.
"No officers were injured in the incident."
"No officers were injured in the incident."
Earlier, one eyewitness called Juliet said: "I heard three shots.
Earlier, one eyewitness called Juliet said: "I heard three shots.
"As I looked over the balcony edge I could see an unmarked police car and there were four police officers that had got out of the car."
"As I looked over the balcony edge I could see an unmarked police car and there were four police officers that had got out of the car."
The raid is thought to have involved a Securicor van
The raid is thought to have involved a Securicor van
Employees at Mann & Co estate agents, just yards from where the shooting happened, rushed out of the back of their offices when they heard the gunshots on Thursday morning.
Employees at Mann & Co estate agents, just yards from where the shooting happened, rushed out of the back of their offices when they heard the gunshots on Thursday morning.
One said: "I knew it was the sound of bullets immediately.
One said: "I knew it was the sound of bullets immediately.
"Everyone just ran to get as far away as possible.
"Everyone just ran to get as far away as possible.
"The police must have been tipped off.
"The police must have been tipped off.
"One customer told us they saw police officers running out of the public toilets just near to the bank and then they heard the shots.
"One customer told us they saw police officers running out of the public toilets just near to the bank and then they heard the shots.
"This is out of the ordinary for sleepy Chandlers Ford so we are all a bit shook up."
"This is out of the ordinary for sleepy Chandlers Ford so we are all a bit shook up."
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